Paul Merson returns with his exclusive column!
Paul Merson returns with his exclusive column!
I'm pretty sure I predicted Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City last weekend in the Premier League! I didn't do that because Spurs are a good team, it was because they were facing City. Pep Guardiola's team have made a habit out of giving you chances and Tottenham took it well in the second half.
I was also watching the second leg games of the EFL Cup semi-finals. Newcastle may have lost but at least they had a go against City. Their fans can go home happy knowing their team did not play dull football.
I'm not sure I can say the same about Chelsea! I was quite disappointed with their performance against Arsenal. I just didn't enjoy watching it. But all of that is firmly behind us now. We move on with my predictions for gameweek 25 in the Premier League.
Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest
Leeds United v Arsenal - Premier League - Source: Getty
Leeds United v Arsenal - Premier League - Source: Getty
If you are West Ham, what do you want from this game? I don't think a draw works because that would put both Leeds and Nottingham Forest seven points ahead of you. So this is a funny game if you're a West Ham fan.
I actually think West Ham would rather have Forest win this than Leeds. They might be more confident of catching Daniel Farke's team than Forest at this point.
Leeds were slaughtered by Arsenal last weekend. But Forest are not Arsenal. Sean Dyche's team will go to Elland Road and play for a draw. That makes sense because this is a 'must-not lose' game for both these teams.
Forest had a shock result last time out when they drew with a struggling Crystal Palace. I fancy Leeds in this game, predicting a narrow win for the hosts.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League - Source: Getty
Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League - Source: Getty
This is a massive football match. Michael Carrick has started brilliantly at Manchester United, but we saw the same with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ole at the wheel and all that!
The only way Carrick can get this job permanently is if he loses four games and then responds by turning that run around. That is how you get measured in big jobs. I believe Solskjaer couldn't do it. If Carrick can do it, then we know he can cope with the pressure at Old Trafford.
It's difficult to think who starts for Manchester United in this game. Do they go with Benjamin Sesko because he scored the late winner against Fulham? I'm not so sure. Sometimes, it suits these players to come off the bench rather than start a game.
At the moment, I would say Manchester United are the big favourites to finish in the top five. That win over Fulham was a huge result. They only play once a week as well, which is a huge advantage compared to Liverpool and Chelsea. So I would have to call them favourites even though it's still very tight.
Carrick will show Tottenham a lot of respect. I think this is a hard game to call. Spurs are obviously a better team when they have Dominic Solanke in their line-up. But I'm going to go for a Manchester United win here.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham vs Everton
Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League - Source: Getty
Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League - Source: Getty
I thought Fulham were unlucky the other day against Manchester United. Everton are different away from home. So it's really hard to pick a winner in this game as well!
A win would put Fulham back in contention for Europe. In fact, if they beat Everton, they will move to within three points of fifth-placed Chelsea. I'm expecting it to happen.
Prediction: Fulham 2-0 Everton
Burnley vs West Ham United
West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League - Source: Getty
West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League - Source: Getty
West Ham have got to win here. They have some tough fixtures coming up after this one and Leeds play Forest before this game. If West Ham lose this game, I literally have to say they will be relegated!
People say there are a lot of games still left in the season but they have to look at who West Ham are playing next. With all due respect to Burnley, if West Ham don't win here, they are not winning away from home to Liverpool or Newcastle either.
I've said all along that Burnley have not been well beaten very often. But the last two games have been a bit of a concern for them. They had a small turnaround through draws against Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham before they lost to Sunderland.
That loss to Sunderland was a worrying result. Burnley are looking a bit tired now and it's the best time for West Ham to play them. I'm going for a West Ham win to keep the relegation battle alive.
Prediction: Burnley 1-2 West Ham United
Arsenal vs Sunderland
Arsenal v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Source: Getty
Arsenal v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Source: Getty
I think the title will be wrapped up this weekend. I can't see Arsenal dropping points in this game. If Arsenal win, they will be nine points clear at the top and then Manchester City go to Anfield, which means it will all be over on Sunday!
Noni Madueke came in for Bukayo Saka after an injury during warm-up the other day. And in that game, they introduced Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli and Riccardo Calafiori off the bench! How many of these good players are not getting in their team?
Arsenal went about it so quietly and built a really strong squad. I remember Pep Guardiola doing it at Manchester City but that was big news with players costing £60 or £70 million. But Arsenal have just built an unbelievable squad so quietly.
I don't think Arsenal's quadruple credentials are being talked about enough. Nowhere near as much as when Manchester City and Liverpool were chasing it. The FA Cup will be the toughest trophy to win for them. They got a nice draw now, but if they play Manchester City, Chelsea or Liverpool in the next three rounds, they won't win!
The league may be wrapped up, they could win the Champions League because I don't see a team that can beat them over two legs, but the FA Cup is different. You have 90 minutes and then you go straight to penalties, anything can happen in that competition.
Sunderland were great in the win over Burnley last time out. But I expect a comfortable win for Arsenal in this game.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland
Wolves vs Chelsea
Arsenal v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Source: Getty
Arsenal v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Source: Getty
Chelsea have some shocking games coming up after this one. That run looks atrocious! This is still a huge game for Chelsea, especially considering how it all fizzled out for them against Arsenal in the cup semi-final.
Liam Rosenior has to win all three of his upcoming Premier League games. For Chelsea, it's Wolves away this weekend followed by Leeds and Burnley at home. After these games, the ridiculous run starts for them. Arsenal away, Aston Villa away, Newcastle at home, Everton away, Manchester City and Manchester United at home, Brighton away, Forest at home, Liverpool away, Spurs at home and they finish with Sunderland away!
I've not seen a run like that in my life. If Arsenal had this run of fixtures, I would be worried about them winning the league! That's why I think if Chelsea don't win their next three, they won't qualify for the Champions League next season.
Chelsea are focused on buying young players instead of bringing in world-class stars. They bet on £40 million and hope that it becomes £100 million in a few years. The problem with that strategy is that when you play Champions League, you can keep it going. But if you drop down from that competition, it is then difficult to qualify for it with these young players.
I expect Joao Pedro to start this game. I thought he was excellent in the first half against Arsenal when he gave William Saliba a torrid time. Wolves will make it tight, but I believe Chelsea can get the win.
Prediction: Wolves 1-3 Chelsea
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa FC v FC Salzburg - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 - Source: Getty
Aston Villa FC v FC Salzburg - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 - Source: Getty
This is a hard game for Aston Villa. They got a phenomenal win away from home to Newcastle and then they lost at home to Brentford. And the worrying thing is that Brentford scored with 10 men in that game.
Villa need to win this game. If Chelsea and Manchester United win, before you know it, Villa are already looking over their shoulders in terms of finishing in the top four. Few weeks ago, we were thinking Aston Villa would push for the title. That's how quickly things can change in the Premier League.
Bournemouth have turned a corner now. Barring the FA Cup exit to Newcastle on penalties, they've been alright. If Aston Villa win this game, it will be unbelievable. And fair play to them if they can bounce back, but I'm not sure they will.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United vs Brentford
Manchester City v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Source: Getty
Manchester City v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Source: Getty
Newcastle went out of the cup, but they went out in a blaze of glory. They had big chances against City. It's just that they couldn't convert them.
Brentford are coming off the back of an impressive win away from home to Villa. I remember them going to Chelsea and dominating the game even though they lost. It wasn't long ago they ripped Everton to shreds either. I like them, they're a good team.
If Brentford win, they will get to 39 points. A lot of people would have put them down as relegation candidates at the start of the season. Keith Andrews and his team have done an incredible job. They are safe and have been brilliant to watch.
Newcastle should play Nick Woltemade up front in this game. Brentford have height in set-pieces and Newcastle need Woltemade. Very rarely do I go against Newcastle at home, but Brentford are playing some good football and I expect them to get a point.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-2 Brentford
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace
Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton - Premier League - Source: Getty
Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton - Premier League - Source: Getty
Brighton are not setting the world alight with their performances. They win at home to Burnley, take a point off Manchester City at the Etihad, beat Manchester United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford and then draw with Bournemouth, lose to Fulham and draw with Everton. This is them summed up!
You honestly don't know what you are going to get from Brighton. Crystal Palace are struggling so bad at the moment. I'd have to back Brighton here.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Crystal Palace
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Liverpool v Newcastle United - Premier League - Source: Getty
Liverpool v Newcastle United - Premier League - Source: Getty
I'd be shocked if Liverpool lost this football match! They have bounced back well after conceding that last-minute winner against Bournemouth. 10 goals in the two games since then shows they are clicking in attack.
Manchester City always let in goals. You check their results and if you've never watched them games, you would think they were flying. But the reality is that they have given away chance after chance in these games.
Liverpool are not lackadaisical in front of goal. Manchester City, meanwhile, are all over the place at the back and could be blown away at Anfield.
Liverpool attack is really clicking with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah. It's like Manchester City have Rayan Cherki but Liverpool have three X-factors lined up next to each other as part of their front three.
Newcastle were really good in the first 30 minutes against Liverpool the other day. If City can play like Newcastle did there, it could be a different story! But if the game opens up and it becomes a 'you have a shot, we have a shot' type of match, then Liverpool will run away with it.
Manchester City have to win this game. Even a draw would mean the title race is over because Arsenal would still have an eight-point lead. Like I said earlier, I expect the title race to be done this weekend, so Liverpool win.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City